Simon Grayson has lavished praise on Sunderland under-23s following a productive first week of pre-season.
The development squad joined up with the first-team on Saturday and travelled to Austria to be part of the club’s strenuous five-day training camp.
Grayson’s appointment last Thursday saw him state that the under-23s weren’t just travelling across Europe to “make up the numbers,” and striker Josh Maja is one of the faces who has seized his chance to impress.
🥅 With all the other pairs scoring, @J_Maj10 has one last chance to find the net of risk losing the competition...
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) 6 July 2017
No pressure, Josh... pic.twitter.com/tAdFNhG1Z1
The 18-year-old, who score nine goals for the development team last term, made his senior bow in a EFL Cup match at Queens Park Rangers when he came off the bench to help the Lads turn the tie on its head and win 2-1.
And now Maja has been putting in the yards in Austria to catch the eye of Grayson ahead of the 2017-18 Sky Bet Championship season.
“He has been good,” Grayson told safc.com.
“I knew about him before I came and he’s an exceptional talent.
“The way we are at the moment with the squad, especially at the top of the pitch, these younger lads are going to get their opportunity over the next few games.
“They’re here to make an impression. We did say from day one that the under-23 players weren’t here to just make up the numbers; they’re here make an impression.
“Do that and you’re in with a chance for playing during the season,” he continued.
“I have been impressed with the younger players, as well as the older players.”
Some tremendous turns and flicks from @J_Maj10, but @VitoMannone88 has the final say with a lovely save... 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/S2Gm6sBIJu
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) 3 July 2017
